Kerry's Camping trip to Telescope Peak

Death Valley National Park, Panamint Range, Mahogany Flat Campground (8133 ft.) and trailhead, Telescope Peak Hike (11048 ft.), June 8-10, 2007 Leader: Kerry Campers: Leslie, Mariam, Elmar, Kathy Viola, Dale, Shirley Grant,

The campground at Mahogany Flat is at 8133 feet and the weather cooled down to the upper 40’s at night, warm enough for several people to sleep in the open. At 8:00 A.M. Saturday, the hike to Telescope Peak began through pinion and limber pines, and continued for a strenuous 7 mile one-way trek with over 3000 foot elevation gain. This is the highest peak in Death Valley National Park, with spectacular vistas. Don’t forget the elevation difference from the Death Valley floor is over 11,300 feet. Along the way there are long exposed stretches across the mountain side and gigantic gnarled bristlecone pines adorning the higher slopes. At 11,000 feet, the trail climbs along the ridge for the last ¼ mile before reaching the peak. Kerry, Dale, Mariam and Kathy reached the peak by 12 noon, with Elmar and Leslie steadily hiking to reach the peak in the afternoon. All were rewarded with spectacular 360 degree views from the distant desert basins at the salt flats of Badwater to mountain ranges, including distant hazy Mt. Whitney. Saturday night the potluck dinner was filled with good food, fun conversation and the joy of another exhilarating day of hiking California’s best trails. On Sunday we explored the 10 perfectly aligned ‘beehive ovens’, the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns, built in the 1770’s.

Note to Elmar: next time you want to mark your travel along the road to camp, please use something other than transmission oil!

Shirley Grant